St Mirren 0-2 Livingston: Gary Holt era off to perfect start

Gary Holt's tenure as Livingston manager got off to a "perfect start" with a comfortable 2-0 victory at St Mirren.

First-half goals from Jack Hamilton and Alan Lithgow put Holt's side in control in Paisley as St Mirren struggled to create any chances of note.

"I asked them to play with a smile," said the Livingston manager.

"Enjoy your work because that's what it is - work. It's football but it's your work. Enjoy it and play with a smile."

Saints' Danny Mullen should have done better with a volley after the break when he blazed over in one of the Paisley side's few chances.

Alan Stubbs' men have now conceded eight goals in three games without reply.

• Stubbs confirms interest in signing Miller

Two days after taking over from Kenny Miller as Livingston manager, Holt witnessed his men put in an accomplished performance to give them their first win of the Premiership campaign.

The result takes them up to sixth in the table.

Saints architects of their own downfall

Livingston were clinical in front of goal in the first half and scored direct from set-plays, but St Mirren were the architects of their own downfall.

Hamilton's opener on 14 minutes came from a simple ball into the box that could have been cleared more than once before Lithgow drilled a cross back towards his team-mate 12 yards out. The defence stood static as the shot crashed off the bar, over the line and back out.

For the second nine minutes before break, it was even more straight forward. Steven Lawless' corner was swung in well but Lithgow was allowed to rise unchallenged to power the ball into the net.

Saints' leaky defence is as much of a problem as their lack of goals at the other end. Bringing in Kenny Miller will only solve one of those issues.

A fine day's work for Holt - analysis

BBC Scotland's John Barnes at The Simple Digital Arena

When you have three corner kicks in the first half and score from two of them you must be a happy manager.

That's how it was for Holt in his first day in charge of Livingston. But St Mirren counterpart Stubbs will be fuming about the defending of his team and the manner Hamilton and Lithgow got free of their markers to score.

With the two Millers missing - Kenny departed from his player-boss role and Lee missing through injury - it was a new-look striking partnership for Livi and it worked.

Teenager Hamilton made his first league start and scored his first league goal for the West Lothian side, and he was supported in attack by Scott Robinson, normally a reliable force in midfield.

Livingston were the more creative while St Mirren were rarely seen in offensive mode.

The visitors had a handful of chances to add to their tally in the second half but they will take a lot of confidence from this performance.

A total of 4,347 watched this match, but only 242 of those were supporting Livingston. Displays like this may see more turn out in the future.